Fletcher could move to SS next year

[mmc]

 

[tdawg87]

Ok but he needs to actually hit.

[jsnpritchett]

Does that really solve any issues overall, though?  They'd then need a 2B, obviously--and it seems like the internal candidates would largely consist of the same pool if the Angels were trying to fill the SS void.  The 2B free agent pool isn't particularly strong, either.

[Lazorko Saves]

Right, so we plug the hole at SS with Fletch.  Leaving us...with a hole at 2B.

[totdprods]

39 minutes ago, tdawg87 said:

Ok but he needs to actually hit.

Not as critical at SS if he can field at least a tick above-average, which I think is doable with focus.

[tdawg87]

7 minutes ago, totdprods said:

Not as critical at SS if he can field at least a tick above-average, which I think is doable with focus.

I think it's still critical.

[Revad]

Fletch is terrific and I’m sure he could hold his own at SS, but that’s not the best answer to me.

[BTH]

I worry about his arm strength for SS. He has enough arm strength to make great plays at 2B, but I don't think he has enough to be an everyday SS.

[Angel Oracle]

Who plays 2B then?

[Chuck]

2 minutes ago, Angel Oracle said:

Who plays 2B then?

Marcus Semien. Or if Maddon has his way, Javier Baez. 

[Chuck]

2 hours ago, mmc said:

 

This has a little more context. 

 

[Jason]

2 hours ago, tdawg87 said:

Ok but he needs to actually hit.

Why are you asking for so much?

[Angelsfan1984]

Clearly arte wants semien. 

[ettin]

I actually feel like Fletcher has a slightly better arm than Rengifo, but either could play there.

[AngelsLakersFan]

2 hours ago, Angelsfan1984 said:

Clearly arte wants semien. 

Gross!

 

[totdprods]

No ones mentioned Stefanic yet? Wow.

This could very well just be very early posturing too.

I would not be surprised with some combination of Fletcher, Rengifo, and Mayfield at SS, and guys like Fletcher, Stefanic, and Rojas playing 2B, especially if they're sinking big money into pitching.

[greginpsca]

23 hours ago, totdprods said:

No ones mentioned Stefanic yet? Wow.

This could very well just be very early posturing too.

I would not be surprised with some combination of Fletcher, Rengifo, and Mayfield at SS, and guys like Fletcher, Stefanic, and Rojas playing 2B, especially if they're sinking big money into pitching.

Davis is a better defender than Stefanic and Rojas. That said, i would scour the list of Rule 5 eligible ss's and look for the best defender.

[Dtwncbad]

Broken record on this.  I have no problem with Fletcher playing every day for the Angels since you can’t have an All-Star at every position.  A team can win a WS with a guy like Fletcher in the lineup.

But not if you have too many other holes (and lousy pitching).

So I can’t really begin to care about where Fletcher plays.

He is only a problem if there are too many other problems.

Ask me in Spring Training if I am OK with Fletcher every day at 2B or SS in 2022.

It’s not a question that can be correctly answered today because it depends on the rest of the roster.

 

[totdprods]

2 hours ago, greginpsca said:

Davis is a better defender than Stefanic and Rojas. That said, i would scour the list of Rule 5 eligible ss's and look for the best defender.

I was touting Davis back when he was at Tri-City doing the hotlists...I suspected he was finding a new gear. Stefanic's contact ability is superior, and Rojas will have an edge hitting left-handed as long as we're thin on lefty-bats, which could change as soon as next year.

That said, I'm not quite convinced he's ready to make an MLB impact yet. I think at some point in '22 he gets a shot somewhere, but raking at SLC in 30 games (even after what he did at A+ and AA) is still premature to judge what we have. 

I hope they add him. Honestly, I am not against adding R5-eligible Livan Soto this winter if there's room. His glove is MLB-ready and potentially well above-average. The offensive skill set is developing, but there's some hope for him still. I wouldn't expect him to be the opening day UT IF, but he could solve that as the season goes on.

Edited October 6, 2021 by totdprods

[HanfordGuy]

Since Fletcher is under contract until 2025 with a team options for ‘26 & ‘27., they could trade him for a SS, move Rendon to 2B and sign Kris Bryant.

[Blarg]

Rendon is just a serviceable fielding 3rd baseman and has no 2nd base service time. Bryant was moved to the outfield because of his defensive short comings. 

Pitching and defense not offense, offense, offense no defense or pitching. 

[Stradling]

I’m against moving Fletcher to SS.  He is a really good defensive 2nd baseman and a serviceable SS. 

[Docwaukee]

1 hour ago, Blarg said:

Rendon is just a serviceable fielding 3rd baseman and has no 2nd base service time. Bryant was moved to the outfield because of his defensive short comings. 

Pitching and defense not offense, offense, offense no defense or pitching. 

he does actually have time at 2b.  A fair amount but it was awhile ago.  and my guess is he's gonna slow down a bit after having surgery.  

[Docwaukee]

On 10/4/2021 at 7:56 PM, totdprods said:

No ones mentioned Stefanic yet? Wow.

This could very well just be very early posturing too.

I would not be surprised with some combination of Fletcher, Rengifo, and Mayfield at SS, and guys like Fletcher, Stefanic, and Rojas playing 2B, especially if they're sinking big money into pitching.

I'm not sure Stefanic would qualify as a major league quality defender at any position.  Maybe 1b?  Any of those combos listed scare me.  It's either mediocre at best defense or terrible offense or both.  

Still think they need to address the position outside the org in some way.  I think we both agreed Taylor would be a good fit.  He and/or Fletch would be fine options at SS for the next 2-3 years until we see what guys like Paris and Vera can do.  Although I think if the Angels make a trade for a pitcher and try to avoid giving up Marsh and Adell, it's gonna gut a bunch of our top 10 depth.

[Stradling]

@Dochalo do you have access to any article that calls his defense into question?  It’s tough to find it with a simple google search. I’ve read a lot about his below average defense here.